Tire-rim tool.



R. BEST.

TIRE RWI TOOL.

APPLicM'loN man Nov. 15, 19:5.

iran sans entrena onirica.

ROBERT A. BEST, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO GEGRGE M. FISH, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TIRE-RIM TOOL. i

I2IL662.

ySpecification of Letters Patent.

i Patented Jan. t?,

appueanon ined November 15, 1915. serial no. 61,553.

This invention relates to an improved tirev rim tool which is used for contracting' and expanding a split rim for automobile or other tir The main objects of this inventioni are:

First, to make a rim tool which will contract or expand a split rim when the tire is to be removed from or replaced on the rim. Second, to make'an improved rim tool which is simple, durable andcheap in construction and effective and eiicient in operation.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies or" construction and operation wili definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects ,of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of my improved rim tool showing the same in position for action 'in a split rim, said rim being shown in position and the tool ready to contract and remove the same. Fig. II is a side elevation of my rim tool showing the same holding the rim in its contracted position. Fig. III is a detail vertical sectional elevation taken on a line corresponding to sectionv line 3 3 of Fig. II, showing the manner in which my rim tool engages the rim, the tool appearing in full lines and the rim in section. Fig. IV is a detail horizontal section taken on a line corresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. III, showing the manner in which the hooks are held in engagement and yieldingly against the rim.

In the Vdrawing similaireference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in ,the direction of the little Referring :to the drawing. 1 is a turn buckle in one end of. which screws a right handed turn buckle eye rod 2, while in the other end screws a left handed turn buckle eye rod 3. Loosely carried by the loop each eye rod is a'pair o rim hooks 4f. These rim hooks each have an elongated perforation 5 transverse to the direction of the engaging part of said hooks coupling the same to the eye. These hooks serve to grab the beaded portion 7 of a' split demountable rim 7. The springs 8 connect the two hooks of a singlepair and serve to hold the same in a yielding engaging contact with the rim 7, as shown in Fig. III. From this construction, it is seen thatwhen the hooks I are applied at opposite sides of the rim and the turn buckle is turned in a right hand direction the action of the same will draw the eye rods inwardly forcing the hooks to grab the rim, thus contracting the rim to the position shown in Fig. II. The Asprings 8 serve to hold the hooks yieldingly against the rim until the whole tool is drawn to a. tightened position when the tension of the rim on thev parts keeps them in position. In Fig. II one end of the rim joint overlaps the other end, due to the spring-like tendency of the rim when contracted, and from this position it isseen that the tire may be readily taken off'. The perforations in the hooks, being transverse to the engaging portions thereof and loose upon the eye, permit the eye being disposed transverse to the direction of the rim and the hooks insure the eye taking a central position, and contacting directly with the rim guides the same and insures itsefective action, making a very simple structure for this purpose.

Vhen the rim is to be expanded before or after the tire has been replaced, as shown in Fig. II, the turn buckle is turned in a left hand direction, which forces the turn buckle eye rods outwardly. The top 9 of the eye bears against the inside of the rim and the eye rod is prevented from turning by the action of the hooks 4, which turn to a partial edgewise position against the rim and rare held to the rim by the springs 8, said edgewise position is shown in Fig. I. Therefore, a continued turning of the turn buckle I have conveniently shown the application of my rim tool to a split rim`w1th a hinge connection. It is apparent, however, that with any type of split rim the tool may be y ingly gage the rim of an automobile wheel, spring hook members yieldn engagement with the said rim whereby thehooks. act on the rim to compress it whemthe turn buckle is operated to contract the rim,

means for holding said and to. insure the centering of the saidl eyes against the rim When the turn a central turn buckle with buckle is operated to expand the same, coacting` for the purpose specied.

2. In a, tire rim tool, the combination of ight and left threads, turn buckle rods with suitable eyes at their outer ends connected thereby,l oppositely disposed hook members perforated and loosely carried by each of said eyes, the perfor-ations beingr transverse to the engaging portions of said hooks, adapted to engage the rim of an automobile Wheel where` by the hooks act on the rim when the turn buckle is operatedto contract the rim, and to insure the centering of the said-eyes against the rim when the turn buckle is operated to expand the same.

In witness whereof, have hereunto set my hand and seal in tie presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT A. BEST; [n s.] "Witnesses:

JOSEPH R. Grimani), FLORENCE K. SULLWAN.

to compress it 

